Capital Connection’12 and its TechBUZZ program, a nationally recognized technology industry conference, featured a day filled with powerful speakers, compelling company presentations and dynamic networking that captivated a capacity crowd of nearly 1100 attending both events. From an investor panel discussing the health of the marketplace and 26 game-changing company presentations to a glimpse into the life of the ultimate entrepreneur, Steve Case and culminating in the TechBUZZ Showdown competition between the three “Best of the BUZZ” companies, the 25th Anniversary of Capital Connection’12 is one for the record books.

The Opening Session focused on “Investing in a Volatile World – How to See Opportunity and Value Risk” with a panel discussion by Peter Barris, Managing Director of NEA; Cameron Lester, General Partner of Azure Capital Partners; and Tony Palcheck, Managing Director of Motorola Solutions Venture Capital. One of the many take-aways – significant investment opportunities exist in the cloud, big data and mobility.

Next up, 26 main stage companies presented business models and growth strategies before the Capital Connection audience. Representing diverse technology industries, including cyber security, social media and marketing, information technology, cloud-based solutions, mobile apps, business, education, health IT, software and automation, each company had five minutes to share their innovative solutions to an audience of investors and advisors.

An audience overflowing into the hallway held on to every word from ultimate entrepreneur and AOL founder, Steve Case, CEO of Revolution Growth. Mr. Case touched on a few of the many highlights of his illustrious career as innovator and Internet pioneer, entrepreneurial champion and investor of companies and public policy influencer. He shared his insights on national entrepreneurial trends, new investment initiatives and real-time public policy in a “fire-side” chat with Dan Beyers, Editor of Capital Business, The Washington Post.

The final event of the 2012 Capital Connection was the TechBUZZ Showdown with the three companies voted “Best of the BUZZ” – Augaroo, Cont3nt.com and Speek – presenting to the entire audience of investors, advisors and company-builders. These companies were vying to be named winner of TechBUZZ Showdown by the audience utilizing a mobile application to vote for their favorites. The TechBUZZ champion, Augaroo, wins the opportunity to meet with Steve Case for coffee and a chat and gain some valuable advice on his vision for growing successful companies.

Augaroo is building a next generation real-time big data visualization system called Zoomdata. Zoomdata processes real-time data streams and generates tactile, interactive visualizations on web and mobile devices. Through Zoomdata, which is currently in beta testing, users can experience data analysis in an entirely new and potentially disruptive way.

“We had the full spectrum of a company life cycle in the phenomenal collection of main stage and seed stage companies who made remarkable presentations about their tremendous technology innovations that will change the way we live and work,” said the Capital Connection'12 Conference Co-Chairs Thanasis Delistathis, Founder and Managing Partner, New Atlantic Ventures; Steve Fredrick, General Partner, Grotech Ventures; and Tom Roberts, Partner, Harbert Venture Partners. “This high caliber group of companies has the businesses prowess to accomplish great things and I expect we’ll be hearing a lot about these entrepreneurs in the very near future. We also recognized the success of our Sterling Companies during the program.”

“Fast-paced, jam-packed sessions with invigorating and motivating speakers and company presenters filled the day-and-a-half conference. A record number of attendees at Capital Connection and TechBUZZ made our 25th Anniversary a stellar occasion,” said Julia Spicer, Executive Director of the Mid-Atlantic Venture Association and President of Capital Connection.“

Key features in this year’s Capital Connection and TechBUZZ conference:

• Keynote and Featured Speakers: Chairman and CEO of Revolution, Co-Founder of America Online, chairman of the Startup America Partnership and ultimate entrepreneur, Steve Case; Gilt Groupe CEO and Co-Founder, Kevin Ryan; and CEO and Founder of Opower, Dan Yates. An investor panel featuring Peter Barris, Managing General Partner, New Enterprise Associates (NEA); Cameron Lester, General Partner, Azure Capital; and Tony Palcheck, Managing Director, Motorola Ventures Motorola Solutions Venture Capital at Motorola Solutions. Media moderators: Dan Primack, Senior Editor, Fortune.com and Dan Beyers, Editor of Capital Business, The Washington Post.
• Who’s Hot: A who’s who of hot companies and recognizable market leaders.
• What’s the BUZZ? The high energy, fast-pitch TechBUZZ program showcasing what’s new and fresh from Seed Stage startups. This year featuring the Best of the BUZZ with real-time feedback from audience participants.
• Easy Access: A new rate structure to make the conference accessible to a broad range of entrepreneurs, angel investors, incubators and companies across all stages of growth.
• Opportunity to Tell the Company Story: An unparalleled opportunity for early, growth and late stage firms to present business models for investment or showcase their success.

Capital ConnectionTM, one of the nation’s most respected industry conferences, is being held this year on May 23-24 at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, D.C. Information on Capital Connection’12 with its featured innovative TechBUZZ event can be found on the conference website located at www.capitalconnection.org.

About Capital ConnectionTM
In its 25th year, Capital Connection brings together the broad community of entrepreneurial companies and potential partners to help enhance business and economic growth. Opinion leaders from business and government share their knowledge and expertise, along with leading technology companies at all growth stages who showcase their capabilities to a nationwide audience of investors, advisors, partners and entrepreneurs at the annual signature event. Launched in 2011, TechBUZZ provides start-ups and seed-stage companies center stage in spotlighting the “next big thing.” For more information and to register, go to www.capitalconnection.org.

About TechBUZZTechBUZZ was first piloted in 2010 and launched in May 2011 as a half-day conference preceding Capital Connection in response to the growing impact start-ups and seed-stage companies are having in recent years on the investment ecosystem overall. MAVA is dedicated to continuing to foster and celebrate this vital area of our membership by bringing together investors and entrepreneurs in a dynamic and meaningful format. TechBUZZ shines a well-deserved light on the visionary innovators and company-builders in our region who are actively developing their concepts, testing their beta or prototype products and services and pursuing a path toward market entry.